Collector’s Item: $38.5M Compound With a Museum Is Pasadena’s Most Expensive Home

Referred to as Knoll House, the most expensive home listing in Pasadena—a picturesque city 11 miles northeast of downtown L.A.—hopes to attract a lover of art or automobiles eager to showcase a collection.

That’s because the property—two structures totaling 32,644 square feet of living space—includes a 20,000-square-foot art gallery (with enough room to display cars), along with an 11,000-square-foot, 16-room home original to the estate. It sits on a 2.3-acre landscaped and gated lot.

In addition to seven bedrooms and 21 baths, the perk-packed property comes with a Tiki bar, home theater, and wine cellar. Plus, the outdoor area includes a pool, multiple living and dining areas, fireplaces, and a kitchen with a pizza oven and bar.

George Penner with deasypennerpodley real estate is handling the $38.5 million listing.

Historic home

The house was built in 1916 based on designs by architect Myron Hunt. It was initially known as the Samuel C. Fertig House.

Then, in 1973, the home underwent an expansion led by architect Gordon B. Kaufmann and renamed Knoll House by then-owner Virginia Steele Scott.

Art lover’s amenity

Scott left behind a grand statement to the art world.

“Scott [was] a prominent American art collector and donated her collection to the Huntington Library,” Penner says.

Before that, the artwork had its own place on the property.

“She had a gallery space built by Ladd & Kelsey, the same architectural firm that did the Norton Simon Museum in Pasadena.”

The 21,000-square-foot art gallery spans three levels, providing enough room to also showcase a car collection. Elevators and underground access from the main house seamlessly connect the two structures. There’s enough parking for guests thanks to a motor court and a five-car garage.

Another highlight of this property is a Tiki lounge. The sellers added the lounge after they picked up this property in 2013 for $7.5 million. The lounge decor and furnishings are included in the sale.

“Our client utilized the foremost Tiki-bar fabricator and all the furnishings and décor have been sourced from different Tiki bars or museums with artifacts,” Penner says.

From its inception, the building was designed to house more than just art. The art gallery building includes a 46-seat home theater, a poker room, two commercial elevators, and a conference center.

So, who will be in the market for this beautiful property?

“We’re specifically targeting that avid collector. They may be a collector of fine paintings or even a car collector,” Penner says. But someone with deep pockets who loves to entertain may also be tempted.

“The current owner utilizes that space as an event space for philanthropic events,” he adds. “It can host hundreds of people.”

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